Jewish Heritage Tours in Bulgaria and Romania
Jewish tours to
Sofia - Plovdiv - Veliko Tarnovo - Brasov - Bucharest

A Special Note on Bulgaria:
Bulgaria has the most amazing history with regard to the Jewish people. During World War II, when other countries surrendered, betrayed or murdered its Jewish citizens, this little country saved an entire Jewish population, amounting to 50,000 people. Led by their Orthodox Church, the Bulgarian people stood in the way of the Nazi machine. Ultimately, not a single Bulgarian Jew was deported to Nazi death camps. Anti-Semitism never had roots in Bulgaria and Jews have always been an integral part of the Bulgarian society. It is truly a light onto other nations, and deserves our acknowledgement.

Day 1 Wednesday arrival in Sofia
Arrival in Sofia, capital of Bulgaria. Upon arrival meet your Tour Director, who will transfer you to your hotel to rest and refresh. In the afternoon, enjoy a Brief tour in the center of Sofia. This city’s fascinating history reflects an assortment of influences, from Byzantine Christian to Turkish Ottoman, as well as a long and steady Jewish presence. Welcome Dinner in the evening. Arena di Serdica Hotel.

Day 02 Thursday Sofia
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, drive pass some of Sofia’s most noticable landmarks such as Sofia University, the neo-Renaissance-style Bulgarian Parliament, the St. Sofia Basilica (one of the most valuable pieces of early Christian architecture in the Balkans), and the magnificent Alexander Nevski Memorial Church. Conitnue to the outskirts of the city at the footsteps of Mt. Vitosha to visit the National Museum of History, where the world-famous Thracian treasures of ancient gold are on display. You will also see the famed Boyana Church, a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site, with fascinating frescoes from the 13th century, reflecting both Byzantine and local Christian art traditions. Later, our Jewish tour of Sofia will include a visit to the impressive Sephardic Synagogue, third largest in Europe. Designed by Austrian architect Friedrich Gruenanger in Spanish-Moorish and Byzantine style, it resembles the Vienna synagogue destroyed by the Nazis. Perhaps the most beautiful architectural structure in Sofia, the synagogue has been kept in immaculate condition in by joint Bulgarian and Israeli government funding. Learn the amazing story of the saving of the entire Jewish population in Bulgaria, amounting to 50,000 people, during World War II. Arena di Serdica Hotel.

Day 03 Friday Sofia – Plovdiv
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, journey to the scenic, historic town of Plovdiv. En route, stop at the Rila Monastery, the most impressive of all monasteries. It is an original national museum, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located 90 miles south of Sofia in the gorgeous natural scenery of the Rila Mountains, the Monastery is considered one of the highest achievements of Bulgarian monumental architecture. Lunch is en route at a restaurant in the Rila Mountains. In the afternoon, continue your scenic drive and visit the Sarafska House in Samokov, located close to the Synagogue in the former Jewish quarter. Here, in this well-preserved home, lived the Arie, a wealthy Jewish family whose founder settled there in 1793. Later, arrive in Plovdiv and check in at your hotel. Friday night Dinner with members of the small Jewish Community. Dedeman Trimontium-Princess Hotel.

Day 04 Saturday Plovdiv
Breakfast at the hotel. The picturesque, ancient city of Plovdiv has a Thracian history that dates back thousands of years, traces of which have survived to the present day. Who, in fact, were the Thracians? Inhabitants of ancient Bulgaria, Greek mythology provides them with a mythical ancestor, named Thrax, son of the war-god Aries, who was said to reside in Thrace. The Thracians appear in the Iliad of Homer as Trojan allies, led by Acamas and Peiros. Another Thracian King, Rhesus, also appears in this great Homeric epic. This morning, a Jewish tour of Plovdiv will include a visit to its Synagogue and the monument of the grateful Jewish community to the kindhearted and ancient people of Bulgaria. In the afternoon, explore a 2nd century Roman forum and stadium as well as the fabulous Roman amphitheatre built during the time of Emperor Trajan (98-117 CE). It has 28 rows with tiers of marble seats, which can accommodate over 3,500 spectators. You will also explore the historic Old Town, built in the 18th and 19th centuries as a centerpiece of Bulgarian National Revival architecture. Dinner. Dedeman Trimontium-Princess Hotel.

Day 05 Sunday Plovdiv – Kazanlak – Veliko Tarnovo
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, depart Plovdiv for a beautiful drive through the famous Valley of Roses and the historic Shipka Pass in the Balkan Mountains. En route, visit Kazanlak, situated amidst the Valley of Roses. Here is the home of the exquisite (and rare) Bulgarian rose oil, also known as “attar of roses,” a world center for rose oil production – and the source of a key note of many of the world’s finest perfumes. You will also visit the Museum of the Rose, describing the many aspects of this inimitable bloom. The Valley of Roses is also known as “the Valley of The Thracian Kings,”as numerous artifacts of the Thracian period have been discovered there. Continue to the breathtaking, 4th century BCE Thracian tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoy a lecture on Thracian history and culture, which is treasured not only in Bulgaria but in Greece and Turkey as well. Lunch is served at a local restaurant. Later, arrive in Veliko Tarnovo and check-in at your hotel. Grand Hotel Yantra.

Day 06 Monday Veliko Tarnovo
Breakfast at the hotel. Perched on steep hills overlooking the Yantra River, Veliko Turnovo’s narrow, lantern-lit streets wind past ancient ruins and unique architecture. Veliko Tarnovo was the capital city of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185-1396), and has been at the center of many important literary, artistic, and historic events, including the creation of the first Bulgarian Constitution. This morning, visit the fortress at Tsarevets Hill, where the Royal Palace was once located, as well as The Museum of the National Revival, where the Constitution was adopted in 1879. In the afternoon, visit the charming village-museum of Arbanassi, famous for its traditional architecture, and walk through the narrow, cobblestoned streets of the old Samovodene Market Place. Dinner at an authentic Bulgarian restaurant. Grand Hotel Yantra.

Day 07 Tuesday Veliko Tarnovo – Brasov
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Romania this morning. En route, pass the town of Ruses, a major port on the Danube. The Noble Prize winner for literature in 1981, Elias Canetti, was born in Ruses, to a Sephardic Jewish family. From here continue towards Transylvania and the medieval town of Brasov (once known as Kronstadt). Stop in Sinaia, a town which clings to the hillsides and is beautifully scented with evergreens. Peles Castle, home of the Summer Palace of the Royal Family, is beautifully landscaped into its surroundings and is one of Romania's best-loved attractions. Arrive in Brasov in the afternoon and check-in at the hotel. Dinner in Brasov this evening. Aro Palace Hotel.

Day 08 Wednesday Brasov – Bucharest
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, visit the medieval town of Brasov. The tour will include a visit to the Synagogue, locally called "The Jewish Temple." Brasov, situated on one of the major trade routes between Central Europe and the Balkans, still manifests its historic roots in the rich and well-preserved medieval Old Town. Continue to a completely different atmosphere, as you visit "Count Dracula's Castle" in Bran, dating back to the 14th century. You will learn about the legendary character of Vlad the Impaler, notoriously fictionalized by Bram Stoker in 1897, and the core of a rich trove of books, movies and television shows about "vampires." From here transfer to Romania’s vibrant capital Bucharest. Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel.

Day 09 Thursday Bucharest
Breakfast at the hotel. Bucharest flourished due to its location on the most viable trade route linking Western Europe with the Near East. Begin the Bucharest tour with a visit to the Struma Monument at the Jewish Cemetery. Later, visit the Choral Temple Synagogue, and meet leaders of the Jewish Community. Later, visit the nearby Jewish Museum, today located in the former Tailor’s Synagogue. Lunch at the Jewish Community Center. In the afternoon, enjoy a panoramic tour of the city, including the Arch of Triumph, the Romanian Atheneum, and the Royal Palace. In the evening enjoy a festive farewell Dinner. Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel.

Day 10 Friday Bucharest  - Home Flight
Breakfast at the hotel. "Drum Bun!" - Romania wishes you a good journey. Say goodbye to Bulgaria and Romania as you transfer to the airport for the flight to the U.S.A.